Is a gap year a good idea? And what are the benefits of taking one?
If you need convincing a gap year is the best option for you we have put together a list of reasons why you should considering taking one.
As one of the best gap year websites we are slightly biased, but we can’t recommend this experience highly enough.
Questions to Ask Yourself
In our opinion it is totally normal to not be sure about what you want to do with your future, whether you go to college, university, start a job or take time out for a gap year.
We understand it can feel overwhelming and like you’re setting the rest of your life in stone. A gap year is a great opportunity to get away, learn new things (also about yourself and of what you’re capable) and gain a new perspective. It also gives you the time to consider your options a little longer without feeling the clock ticking.
However, just because a gap year is a great decision for some people, this doesn’t mean that it will also be a great decision for you.
There’s a couple of questions you should ask yourself to figure out what is right for you:
• Do you want to take a gap year because you don’t know what else you want to do, or because you’re passionate about exploring new things?
• Do you have a plan on what you would like to do during a gap year? (For example countries you’re curious to visit, experiences you want to make, languages to learn or doing an internship in a specific field)
• Do you have the financial resources to support yourself for a gap year? Traveling can be (but doesn’t always have to be) quite expensive and even work and travel trips might not always cover your costs fully.
• Are you prepared for a gap year? When traveling for a whole year, especially if you’re a solo traveller, you will face some unexpected challenges far away from home which requires a basic level of maturity, independence and confidence (some of this you will gain on the way but you have to feel comfortable with the idea to begin with).
• Do you have a plan for after your gap year/a strategy that will help you decide what you want to do next during the gap year? A gap year spent just sitting on your parents’ couch is not going to help you decide on what you want to do afterwards, so you need to consider how a gap year will help you find things out.
These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself and maybe discuss them with persons that know you well and with whom you feel comfortable, like your parents, siblings or friends.
If you’re not sure whether you should go to university or learn a practical job (e.g. apprenticeship), it might be most useful for you to try it out. In most large universities it is possible to sit in a few lectures of a subject that interests you. Also try maybe to find a short internship (work shadowing) or student part-time job to see what suits you best. A gap year doesn’t necessarily require you to travel.
Top 10 Reasons to Take a Gap Year
Check out why we think everyone benefits from going on a gap year.
1. Have a Break from Normal Life
A gap year is time out for you to do something different from your normal routine, possibly you are a student studying, or you are just looking to take time out from working, and fancy a change of scenery or direction. This is your chance to do something totally different to what you might be used to, and also a great way to break a mundane routine.
2. Explore the World
There are so many places you can go, the world is your oyster! You can hop on a plane and travel to the other side of the world, there are so many programs available.
If you need some inspiration for where to go check out our top destinations to visit on your gap year, popular places include Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Costa Rica – just to name a few.
Also if the idea of going to a different country is daunting to you you can choose to stay in or close to where you live in your home country, you’ll be surprised about the amount of opportunities available.
3. Make New Friends
One of the biggest concerns before taking a gap year is finding people to go with, and if you don’t, do you actually want to embark on this experience solo. The worry of not making friends and being lonely can be daunting, but there are lots of ways to do meet new people and ensure you enjoy the experience.
Travelling or taking part in a gap year program is a great way to meet like-minded people from all over the world. Some experiences like tours, courses and volunteering programs are organised in groups, you’ll have experienced staff and guides, as well as being surrounded by similar aged like-minded people from all over the world. The chances are you will form close bonds and make friends for life.
3. Learn About Other Cultures
If you decide to go abroad, you’ll find out there isn’t a better education than travelling and actually experiencing the world. Visiting new countries really does open your eyes and mind to different people and cultures.
5. Try New Things
A gap year doesn’t have to be one specific thing, and if you are open minded you find find lots of unique and special experiences. There are so many amazing things to do on a gap year, from travelling, backpacking, tours, volunteering, working abroad, internships, courses, studying, activities and more.
6. Have a Lot of Fun
Normal life at home can be boring especially if you have settled into a normal routine. A gap year offers the chance to go to new places, learn new things, meet new people and enjoy experiences you might never normally do. Like when either studying or working a 9-5 job could you find yourself helping elephants in Asia, climbing mountains in Africa, city hopping in Europe or seeing ancient ruins in South America!
7. Boost Your CV or Earn Money
Sometimes the worry of how expensive gap years are can put a lot of people off even taking one. But a this experience doesn’t need to be expensive and there are lots of ways to save money and finance a gap year. A popular option is to apply to work abroad, this allows you to earn money as you go and fund further travels. There are lots of countries where you can find short term, seasonal and working holidays.
8. Personal Development
You’ll learn a lot, not just about other countries, but also about yourself. Taking a gap year requires confidence and you’ll develop so many skills. If you can survive travelling in a country where English isn’t the first language, you probably won’t face many more challenges than this!
9. Find a New Home
A lot of people who take gap years completely change their lives. Possible you could travel and meet the love of your life who lives in a different country. Or you could work abroad, find a destination or a position you really love and decide to stay.
10. No Regrets
Life should be lived with no what ifs and regrets. Once you have settled into a working. life, have a mortgage or a family, the time you have will become limited. If you do have the option for a break from normal life to go backpacking or take a gap year then you should take it. You never know, in the future you might not get this opportunity.
View more articles on our gap year advice pages.